augustus low



(No Model.)

A. A. LOW.

LEAD AND RULE HGLDBB..

No. 356,845. Patate Feb. 1, 1887.

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N. Ferias, Pham-ummm. wmingtm n. c`

nieren dTnTns PnTnNT Ormea A. AUGUSTUS LOV, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOB TO THE ALBEN TYPE MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LEAD AND RULE HOLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part oi' Letters Patent No. 356.8%5, dated February 1, 1887.

Application led November 16, 1885.

,To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, A. AUoUs'rUs Longa citizen of the United States. residing inthe city of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Lead and Rule Holders for the Use of Compositore, ol" which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the special means 1o employed for holding and presenting for use the leads and rules used by printers and oompositors for insertion between the lines of composition and for similar purposes.

My main object is to afford means by which a suitable number of leads or rules may be deposited simultaneouslj,T into a receptacle from which only a prescribed number are to be removed at u given time,and then only ina prescribed manner, the spaces or rules feeding 2o themselves successively7 and automatically into a prescribed position, Vi'roxn which they can be quickly and conveniently removed by the thumb and finger of the compositor. Heretoiore such leads and rules have been presented for use in series, the members of which rested upon one anolherin a horizontal or nearly horizontal position, and were removed as Wanted for use by pressing the finger upon the upper one of a pile or series, and sliding it overand away from the next lower lead or rule surticientlyto admitofone oiits edgesbeinggrasped between the thumb and linger, 'and thus permit oi' its transfer. This means of picking up the leads or rules from the top of a column is obviouslyinconvenient on account of the difficulty in starting i a lead or rule, as above set forth, preparatory to grasping it for removal; and another disadvantage is that the position of the leads or rule to be removed is Variable 4o and dependent upon the height of the column, so that the compositor has to exercise more care and attention in securing a lead or rule than would be required of him if the leads or rules were invariably presented to him in a prescribed place and position. It is also frequently necessary,as in certain classes of bookwork in which the spaces between the lines are unusually largatoinsert tivo or more leads or rules between the lines, necessitating here- Serial No. 182,932. (No model.)

tofore two, three, or more separate and dis- 5o tinet movements of the hand and lingers of the operator, according to the number of leads to be used together.

It is my object to obviate this undue expenditure of time and energy by providing means by which two, three, or more leads or rules may be simultaneously removed for use, the number being regulated by means which may be adjusted to prevent the removal of more than required at a given time.

The main feature of my invention consists, essentially, in aseries of elongated boxes or receptacles open upon the top for the reception of the leads or rules, which rest upon their ends against the doors of the compartments, 65 the four sides of Which are inclosed, with the exception of a lateral slot or opening formed in one side, through which the leads or rules which coincide in position therewith may be removecbas hereinafter set forth. These compartments or boxes are preferably inclined suficiently to cause the leads `or rules to slide down to the loner ends automatically by gravity; but it is to be observed that the leads or rules rest with their ends upon the floors of the compartments, and the Weight of the column is mainly sustained thereby, so as to lessen as far as possible the resistance to be overcome While detaching and withdrawing alead or rule.

One feature of my invention in this connection consists in providing the compartments with bottoms or iioors, which are adjustable in height and inclination for the double purpose of adapting the compartments to 8 5 leads and rules of different lengths and of regulating the descent of and pressure exerted by the columns of leads or rules in a longitudinal direction.

My invention also includes the combination go and arrangement, with the laterally-slotted compartments above set forth, of the special means hereinafter described for regulating the number of leads or rules that may be removed at one time.

Thus by my improvements I not only greatly facilitate the removal of a. single lead or rule, but also enable the compositor to as readily and quickly grasp, remove, and place in position simultaneously two or three leads, as though one at a time only were being handled.

I am aware that type containing channels have been formed with transverse slots through which the types are withdrawn laterally, as in the Patent to L. K. Johnson, No. 230,784, and to the said Johnson and myself, No. 271, 711, and I do not seek to claim herein such form of transverse opening broadly, but only in combination with my special features of construction herein set forth, which eEtect a new and important result in adapting and utilizing the method of detaching and removing the individual types, as described in the said patents, to the presenting and removal of leads and rules While it may be said that the operation of detaching and removing the lower member of a column is in either case substantially the same, still the nature and requirements of the present use necessitate the special forms of construction which constitute my present invention.

I am aware that in the patents issued to L. K. Johnson, Nos. 254,019, 253,707, 279,168, and 268,409, various means are shown for regulating the size of a transverse slot or opening through which types are withdrawn, and I do not seek to cover herein means for such purpose broadly, the special construction and arrangement alone being claimed, whereby the principle involved is adapted to therequiremenls of a new device for holding and presenting leads and rules.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of three lead and rule compartments combined and arranged together, a portion of the side wall being broken away to show the adj ustable floor. Fig. 2 is a projection upon plane of line :r x,Fig. l, showing the covers ofthe compartments thrown back. Fig. 3 is a plan of the empty compartments, the covers being omitted. Fig. 4 is a trans verse section upon plane of line g/ y, Fig. l.

Any number of the receptacles A may be combined and arranged upon a single base or frame. As shown in the drawings, three 'com partments, Al A? A3,are arranged in line, the shorter or more shallow one,A, for the accorn-l modation of the smaller leads or rules, being arranged in front, while the highest in the se ries, A3, as shown, is placed at the back, with the compartments intermediate in height arranged between in. like order, the design being to group all the compartments in compact and.

I convenient relation to each other, without interference in use, by utilizing the space thus afforded by the difference in height or length between the different sizes of leads and rules for the purpose of exposing and presenting the upper ends of the leads or rules in succession in such manner that they may be grasped and removed by the compositor.

Asshown in the drawings, the device is designed to be constructed of sheet metal stamped and pressed into the required shapes.

It is obvious that other forms of material, Src., may be used; butl prefer,by way of illustration, to describe the construction shown.

Two side walls, a c', extend the whole length and height of the device, their lower portions constituting the standards or base,while their upper portions constitute the side walls ofthe compartments A A2 A3, the end walls or division-pieces, B B, of which are rigidly secured between them.

The doors of the compartments A A2 A3 may be rigidly secured in position between the side walls, a a', if desired; but I prefer to make the doors adjustable in inclination and with relation to the positions of thelower ends, b b, ofthe stationary end walls, B B. To this end I pivotally connect one end of the floor-piece or type-support O at or near the front of the device, as indicated at c, Fig. l, and so that it extends longitudinally between the side walls, a c', and supports its opposite or rear extremity by means which are adjustable. in height vertically. The means for thus snppcrting and regulating the inclination of the i'loorpiece C may obviously be varied in form and construction without departing from my invention. Forinstance, in place ofthe transverse pins c', interchangeable in any of the series of coinciding holes c2 formed in the side walls, a a, may be substituted any other equivalent means of effecting the same result. In order to properly re-eni'orce and support the door-piece C, I design to employ one or more intermediate means of support, as shown at b3, Fig. l,when necessary.

One of the side walls, preferably the right, a, is formed with the elongated slots c2 c2, the lower edges of which coincide in position with the upper sides of the end walls or divisionpieces, B B. These slots are of a width equal to the combined thickness ofthe greatest number of leads or rules that it may be desired to remove from the particular compartment simultaneously.

For the purpose of limiting the number of leads or rules to be removed at a given time to one or two, or any number less than that provided for by the actual width of the slots a2, various means may be employed.

'An adjusting-rest, d, maybe provided at or near the upper extremities of the end or division walls, B B,which, byits position with relation to the opposed stationary edge d ofV the slot a2, will regulate the number of leads or rules that may be passed laterally between it and the upper portion of the said opposed edge d. As shown in the drawings, this adjustable rest d consists simply of a screw passing through and engaging with a boss, b', formed upon the end wall or partition, B.

Where the screw d, which is the simplest and cheapest form, is used, the leads or rules are prevented from twisting or turning laterally upon or around the end of the screwd by reason of their lower portions being held true and square by the lower portion, b, ofthe end walls, B, against which the adjoining portions of the IOO IIO

instable gate or gage-plate, G, by means oi' lowest lead or rule are held in all cases by the column above.

In conjunction with or as a substitute for the adjustable rest d, I propose to use an ad which the available area of the slots al maybe regulated. These gates G are arranged upon the upper sides of the slots a2, and are adjustable with relation to the end Walls, B. They arepreierabiy formed of plates g, which slide between grooves or Ways g g2, bent or struck up in the metal forming the side Walls, a ct, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 4. Suit-able means are provided for holdingr these sliding gates G inthe required position either by f iction or by positive means. Where it is desired to retain them in position by friction, a spring, y, may be attached at one extremity to either the side wall a or the gate G, and made to press at the other extremity against either the side wall or the gate, as the case may be. il/here positive means of retaining thegate in position are preferred. an adjustingscrew, H, may be arranged to actuatc the gates, substantially as shown in the drawings.

Hinged covers or lids I. I are attached to one side nail, a', for the purpose of inclosing andV protecting the compartments and contents. These covers end upon a line connecting with the upper or rear edges ofthe slots a, so that they do not obstruct the action of the lingers in removing` the leads or rules, which is accomplished by pressing the ball ot' the thumb against their upper left edges until their upper right edges project outward upon the right side asutlicient distance to be grasped between the thumb and tingersmthen they may be readily Withdrawn through the slot ci.

It is of course to be understood that the upper ends of the Walls or divisions B Band the adjoining; portions of the lci`t-hand side wall, u', are 'formed so as to expose the upper ends of the leads or rules sufficiently to permit of the action of the thumb and linger of, the operator, as above stated.

I-I-.ivinnv thus described a means for carrying out my invention, I desire to state that I do not limit myself to the exact form of parts shown; but

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A series ot lead and rule holders of different sizes, formed with transverse slots and arranged in succession upon common frame or base, with the smaller compartments in front and the succeeding compartments arranged in order according,` to size, so as to afford access to the front upper portion of each compartment, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

2. A series of lead and rule holders of different sizes, arranged substantiallyin the manner andiortbe purpose described. formed with transverse slots, and with movable sections in the side walls adjoining` said slots, which seetions are supported in suitable grooves or ufays formed on the side walls ot' the compartments, and are held in the required position for the purpose described by means substantially as herein shown and described. Y

3. In combination with a. series of lead and rule holding compartments ol" dilierent sizes, arranged substantially in the manner and for the purpose described, and formed with tra-us verse slots and lead or rule supporting partitions or shoulders coinciding` therewith, the means, substantially such as herein described, for varying` the inclination of the leads or rules with relation to the said transverse slots, for the purpose and substantially in the manner described.

4. A series of lead and rule holding compartments of different sizes, Vtorni ed with transverse slots and arranged substantially in the manner and for the purpose srt forth, provided with an adjustable bottom which is common to all the compartments, said bottom being pivotally connected to the front or lower end Y ofthe series, and being supported at the other extremity by means, su bstantially as descri bed, which permit of its adjustment in inclination, substantially in the manner and forthe purpose described.

n. Auensfros Loiv.

lllitncsses:

Wn. GARDNER., Lino. NV. Minier. 

